Trip to Israel a ‘gift’

On National Heroes’ Day, President Rodrigo Duterte said he would reward retiring military and police officers by letting them join him on his official visit to Israel on 2 to 5 September.

“I would be going there with some retiring military and police officers. Marami kami (there are many of us); that is my gift to them for serving the country,” Duterte told reporters on Monday.

This was disclosed by the President after being asked to comment on Magdalo party-list Rep. Gary Alejano’s allegation on his Twitter account that his real purpose in going to Israel is to seek medical attention.

Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Sunday suggested that opposition lawmakers should join the President on his visit to Israel to prove the real reason for the trip.

SAP Go said if they want to see if the President will have a check-up there, they might as well have their own heads checked there, too.

Malacañang clarified Duterte is expected to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Reuven Rivlin to discuss cooperation in labor, tourism, trade, agriculture, counter-terrorism and law enforcement.

The President will also meet with the Filipino community in the Jewish state.

The upcoming visit will make Duterte the first Philippine president to set foot in Israel since the two countries established ties in 1957.

The Times of Israel, in a July 2018 report, notes, “In a speech in 2016 at a synagogue in the Philippines, Duterte said he had instructed his national security adviser, retired general Hermogenes Esperson (sic), to ‘not buy from anyone except from Israel.’”

Israel Ambassador to the Philippines Effie Ben Matityau earlier said both countries are preparing a list of agreements in the fields of defense, technology and food, as well as a labor agreement that would ensure that Filipino workers in Israel are paid fairly and treated well.

Duterte is also expected to visit the Holy Land, Matityau said. After Israel, Duterte will reportedly fly to Jordan.